The Reese Witherspoon produced Big Little Lies takes us to the perfect world of rich families. Three mothers (played by Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley) who have seemingly perfect lives, unravel a murder-mystery that takes place during a disastrous parents' night at an elementary school fundraiser.

Based on Liane Moriarty's best-selling book of the same name, the HBO mini-series is quick becoming a fan favourite.

"Reading the novel for the first time, I saw myself at different stages of motherhood through my life," Witherspoon said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, noting that like Woodley's Jane, she too was a mother at 22, and like her character Madeline, got divorced and remarried at 40.

"It explores so many aspects that are relatable to the lives of women; it wasn't about them being good or bad — they showed every spectrum and every color of women's lives. It presented a unique opportunity to have so many incredible parts for women in one piece of material," she adds.

The latest episode tackles a sensitive subject: marital rape. Nicole Kidman (Celeste) and Alexander Skarsgård (Perry) play a couple who are the subject of titillated envy. Celeste is the town’s most stylish hostess; Perry is the hot, younger jet-setting husband who can’t keep his hands off her. They have perfect twins and an even more perfect house.

But underneath it all lies the reality of marital rape, which her therapist delicately yet expertly gets her to reveal the truth about. The scene sets a standard that producer Witherspoon wants to show, when she said Big Little Lies covers 'every spectrum and every color of women's lives.'